Himanta Biswa Sarma On Rahul Gandhi’s Disqualification From Lok Sabha

GUWAHATI: Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam, described Rahul Gandhi's exclusion from the Lok Sabha following his conviction in a court case as the result of "karma".

"As far as the matter of disqualification is concerned, Rahul himself tore off the ordinance introduced by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2013 that was intended to make sure that elected representatives who are found guilty by a court do not immediately lose their office. What's our fault if Karma has returned the favour?” Sarma spoke with reporters in Guwahati.

“We practise Hinduism, and we think that karma will harm you. His political career isn't over, in my opinion. He has the option to appeal to higher courts. His participation at public events as the leader of an opposition party is not prohibited. Rallies and additional Bharat Jodo Yatras can be led by him. He should, however, refrain from disparaging any community in his words. It's wrong," he continued.

After serving as a lawmaker for 19 years, the former head of the Congress was removed from the Lok Sabha on Friday. A day earlier, a Surat court had found him guilty of criminal defamation for remarks he made about the Modi surname before the 2019 general elections.

Gandhi questioned the crowd at a rally in Karnataka in 2019: "How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?"

Purnesh Modi, a politician from Gujarat, filed a complaint against Gandhi in Surat later that year, alleging that the opposition leader had insulted all members of the Modi community.

Gandhi was found guilty by a court of using improper language and libellous language against the Other Backward Caste (OBC) community, according to Sarma. As a result of that decision, he was expelled from the legislature.

The CM asserted that there is no political vendetta because the court followed the law and the disqualification was a result of the decision.

"In his 2019 campaign speech, he disparaged the OBC minority. As a result, complaints were launched throughout India, including one in Arunachal Pradesh because that state is also home to the Modi community. He has been found guilty after a protracted legal process," said Sarma.

Gandhi didn't retract his remarks or ask for an apology from the community for more than four years, according to Sarma. Had Gandhi done so, the matter would have been resolved.

Also Read: Congress Plans Jan Andolan Across Country Following Rahul Gandhi’s Disqualification

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